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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES 07231968 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 106031 Box: 36 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1968 Document: CC MINUTES 07231968 VILLAGE OF ST. ANTHONY MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING July 23, 1560" The Public fearing was called to order by the Mayor at 7000 o'clock P. M. Presents O'Connor, Dougherty, Crouse, Emond Absent : Springer Also presents Raymond Haik, Village Attorney John Printon, Village Manager The Mayor opened the hearing and explained the procedure to be followed. Mr. Glen Puncochar introduced the Human Relations Study Committee and ex- plained the Committee 's findings. The Council requested that the findings deal with specifics. Mr. Stevens, committee member, stated that a fire bomb had been placed at his home n few nights ago. Mr. Puncochar introduced Mrs. Stauffer, who discussed housing problems of minority groups. She stated that N. E. Minneapolis was inpenetrable to the Black Community. ;Ier neighbor indicated he would not sell his home to a minority group. Another neighbor indicated reluctance to have his children play with minority groups and objected to minority groups visiting in ti-.e area. She stated that Realtors are not inclined to sell homes to Negroes. Mr. Stevens declined to name persons involved in so called racist acts. He felt that some neighbors were antagonistic, but teat this was not a specific problem to him. 'le further stated that problems do exist due to attitudes. He said that the Council 's reluctance to pass an Ordinance indicates a problem. !;e Melt that the Committee should have been allowed to present its report to the Council . He stated that vie may not have overt problems now but that a Commission could present future problems. He further stated tilt he felt that steps taken to date were not positive. Mrs. Marsh stated that her child ijas called a "Nigger;' by a neighbor child and that when she went to bring her child home, the child again shouted "Nigger, Nigger, Nigger". She felt the Council should appoint a Commission to bring about a greater understanding of Minority Groups. Mr. Puncochar felt that the Negro families of St. !Anthony should not be put on trial by requesting them to make specific statements on racist acts. The Mayor explained that the Council was interested in specific facts and not hearsay. Mr. Harsh further explained that the neighbors child called his wife and child this name; that he went to the child 's parents and they were sur- prised at the ckhild 's action. lie felt that to fight back would be putting the incident on a personal level . If the parent did't have a positive attitude, the situation could have gotten out of hand. Councilman Crouse commended Mr. Marsh on his handling of the problem, and for publicly stat- ing the problem to the Council. Mrs. Marsh stated that this was the only �! incident that happened and that she enjoyed living in the Village. Mayor O'Connor again emphasized that he was not attempting to put any one on the spot but that the Council wanted answers to specific problems. M.rs. Howard from the State Department of Human Rights stated that it was not the Depart- ments policy to give instances of discrimination. Mrs. Stauffer stated that she felt that a Hunan Relations Committee could assist in implementing state laws. Mrs. Paul Eid, 3416 Belden Drive, stated that the racial problem is attitude. Mr. Mel Leiken stated that no problems have been listed as yet and that his children play with the Stevens children. Mrs. Nickerson listed several points in her presentation as follows : A Commission would protect the Village for the future. People should realize central city problems are moving outward, a commission would be a positive step. Mr. Stevens stated that in talking to friends, and he indicated his sister is a militant, that things are not going to get better until jobs and housing really open up. He feels that the ghetto people feel their salvation is in moving to the suburb. He feels also that a commission would present any overt problems, and further stated that he personally was not an activist. John Durand stated that he felt that rioters were not responsible people. Mr. Marsh stated that he felt the Village was likened to the New York Athletic Club in that there were few Negro families living in St. Anthony. He felt the instances that occurred were serious citing the name catling incident and the finding of a spent fire bomb at Mr. Stevens home. He further stated that the ratio of incident to population of Negroes was relatively high. He felt the Commission would aid in community under- standing. Mayor O'Connor stated that if Negroes have the financial ability to purchase a home and pay the assessments they are welcome. Mr. Marsh further stated that there are purchase restrictions for Negroes. The general Negro attitude he stated was that they want to see the laws enforced. He felt that the general attitude of people is the basic problem in racial relations. Mrs. Marilyn Asp felt that she personally would like to solve some of the core city problems, and would like to be a positive part of the program. Mrs. Ed Sigafoos asked why the study group was appointed? Mayor O 'Connor informed the group that several individuals representing religious and civic groups appeared at a Council meeting and asked that the study group be appointed. Mrs. Haik asked as to what the original mandate of the study group was? The question was answered by the Chair. Mr. Al Liken stated that he felt the commission was superfluous. Mr. Bill Conroy stated that he felt a militant group was trying to ramrod a program of a human Rights Commission on the people. Mr. Brasket stated that he felt many problems transcend city lines and that we had an opportunity to join other communities in solving problems. Mr. John Sommerville asked if any one had asked the Negro community if it wanted to live in St. Anthony Village? There was no answer to the question. Mrs. Stauffer stated that the law insures that they may buy here. • Mr. Evanson, housing chairman, NAACP, stated that white realtors have a subtle manner in which Negro families are not allowed to purchase homes. Paul Eid feels the problem is not confined to St. Anthony. Mrs. Harris, study committee member, stated that it was not enough to wait until problems . occur. 1,1ary Advent asked that if the matter is a state law, why the opposi- tion to the commission. The Chair explained that the meeting was set to hear the matter. Mr. Fellows stated that Fie felt that the general outline of the meeting wasn't being followed and that the meeting was going around and around. Hr. Ray Allard stated that he felt the meeting should move on to the next items on the agenda. The Village /Attorney reviewed the problems as outlined on the board. Mrs. Ruth Harris reviewed state laws as concerns Human Rights. She stated that the Committee was appointed by the Governor and provides for local sub-committees. The State may refer problems to the local committee and request a report back to the state organization. She stated that many communities have established such committees or commissions. Councilman Dougherty stated that lie felt the Study Committee was following the agenda outline as set forth by the Council . A brief discussion insued regarding the agenda as set forth at the Council meeting and the agenda as distributed at the meeting. Mrs. Nickerson pointed out that the St. Louis Park Commission was asked to study hiring practices at the St. Louis Park School District, and that in St. Paul the Rights group was asked to take cart in the Marshall Junior High dispute. She pointed out that the City of Hopkins had adopted a stronger Cirdinance than that set forth by the state. She further stated that the Roseville group had asked for a multi ethnic curriculum in the school system. Mr. Art Schwalm questioned as to when the committee was given the agenda. Mr. Puncochar stated, "tonight". Councilman Crouse stated that the agenda was dictated to two members of the committee at a prior Council meeting. Mr. Puncochar stated that he would like to continue the report without intimidation by either group. The time being uo00 o'clock P.M., the Mayor asked if anyone was present wishing to be heard on the vacation of certain streets in Mounds View Addition. No one indicated a desire to be heard on the matter, so the hearing was continued. Mrs. Robert Dougherty stated that the meeting lied been going on for nearly two hours and that if the Council had met in advance, they would have been given the viewpoint of the residents. Mrs. Stauffer stated that she felt the Committee should have been heard prior to the Bearing. Mr. Richard lIeatherman asked if the Council had read the Committee report? The Council indicated they had. Mr. Phil Killpatrick, 2901 -32nd Avenue N. E . asked if there were two votes on whether or not to hear the Committee privately and the Mayor answered, "yes". Councilman Ernond stated that the report was presented in May and the people were given a chance to be heard. i-Ir. 9il1 Fellows was declared out of order on question if Council read the committee report. Mrs. Robert Dougherty stated that the group should re- port on the study directive. Chuck Eddy expressed the opinion that the discussion had not concluded on problems other communities have had in regard to problems outlined so far. !-irs. Nickerson stated that the suburban community committees were quite new and that specific action programs were not set out as yet. Mr. Eddy concluded that the basis for • organizing the Committees was a reaction from requests of the State Human 'tights /Agency. Mrs. Howard introduced herself as a State Field Representative of the Department of Human Rights. She stated that the various Commissions were established in response to a request by the State. She felt that the local Commission would be an ideal way to implement the program. Various programs are available to implement the local Commission. Mrs. Howard stated that she would be glad to answer any questions the audience might have. Mrs. Hobart Swan asked of Mrs. Howard "how many of the thirty-five Com- missions formed were originated other than by Village Councils". Mrs. {Toward stated that sihe was only concerned with officials of Commissions and that local Commissions were appointed by Councils. Mrs. Swan stated that she felt the large group that was assembled was an attempt to force the Council to act. Mrs. Howard stated that it was not democratic if the State told Village Councils what to do, and that Councils react to greater feelings of community residents. State Law, she further stated, gives the Commissioner the right to appoint a Commission in any area he sees fit. He prefers not to. He prefers the Mayor make the appointment. Mrs. Swan stated that some members of the Committee expressed the fear that if the Commission is not established "loot: out". Mr. Puncochar asked which members. Mrs. Swan stated that Mr. Stevens stated that if a Commission was not established the activist would te!ce over, and that Mrs. Harris had privately expressed concern. Nr. Stevens did not agree with Mrs. Swan's interpretation of his statement. Mr. Boytel asked Mrs. Toward if the ad hoc Committee could act or function as well as a duly appointed Commission in reporting problems. Mrs. Howard stated that any individual may come to the State with knowledge of a discriminatory act and that the State prefers individuals bring specific allegations to the State office. She further stated that the State does not wish to set up Commissions in individual communities. Mr. Boytel stated his interpretation of Mrs. Howard 's remarks and she replied that she did not • state the matter in such words. Mr. Russell Sparks asked if there were any specific costs available at this time and Mrs. Howard replied that none were available to date. She said the budget could run from 0 to an undetermined amount. The St. Anthony Study Committee felt the cost would not exceed the administration costs of the Park Board or the Planning Board. Mr. Puncochar reviewed the committee recommendations. He stated that six members were in favor of the Commission and that one member filed a minority report. The report by Mr. Dayton Walker was read by Mr. Puncochar. The understanding o the types of Commission was as follows : Passive-sit and review and ma;:e recommendations; active-create an atmosphere wit,iin the Village. The Committee recommended an active Commission. It was felt either an Ordinance or Resolution would be satisfactory to the study committee. Mr. Puncochar read a proposed Ordinance drafted by the study committee. Mr. Art Schwalm asked for an indication of the Council 's feeling at this time. Mayor O'Connor stated that no indication would be given until the Council met as a whole. Mr. Schwalm asked if the Council would give a personal opinion at that time, Council indicated it would. Councilman Crouse stated ti,at a lot cF work had been done on the report and that it was not his intention to harass the Commit- tee but to bring out specific facts on v4nich the Council could base a decision. Fie felt the Committee should be thanked for the job that they had done in pre- paring the report and would personally ask forgiveness if any one felt his questioning was meant as harassment. Mayor O 'Connor stated that the Council would review the tape and take action at a future date. Mr. Eddy asked if Council feels that it has enough information available on • which to rnake a decision. The Council indicated that they felt that they had been given sufficient information. Dr. Berglund asked if the Council was taking any more statements before adjournment and lie was told that the Council had taken sufficient testimony. . Councilman Emond asked for those in favor of a Commission to stand and a majority of those present stood up. The Mayor stated that a decision would be made at the August 13, 1963, meeting and closed the hearing. 62 Ma y ATTEST: Village'Clerk i lage Manager •